Wire connector



May 17, 1955 A. J. TAORMINA 2,708,740

WIRE CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 25, 1950 I N V EN TOR. ANrHo/WJ Donn/NA 4 Ti'OR/VEV yUnited States Patent Ofiice 2,708,740 Patented May 17, 1955 WIRE CONNECTOR Anthony J. Taormina, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Essex Wire Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Application February 25, 1950, Serial No. 146,291

3 Claims. (Cl. 339-205) The present invention relates to wire connecters, and

more particularly to improvements in wire connecters of the type shown and described in the United States Letters Patent to Wellman, No. 1,975,885 of October 9, 1934.

While connecters of the type shown in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,975,885 have proved service- I annular head. It has been found that raising the detent often deforms the circular shape of the connecter because a stress is applied to the metal which exceeds its elastic limits. Consequently, a permanent set will then take place in the connecter, resulting in a new, larger inside diameter of the connecter. larger diameter, the contact between the connecter and the terminal is not as tight as it would have been if the distortion had been avoided.

The degree of this distortion varies considerably with the manufacturing limits of dimensions. It has been found that even though both parts are within the specified dimensions, deformation will occur. The worst case of deformation takes place when a terminal on the high limit is inserted'into a connecter on the low limit. The other extreme of a terminal on the low limit and a connecter on the high limit still produces a deformation but not as much as the opposite case. There have been many cases in the field on vehicles wherein loose terminal connecter combinations are directly attributed to the above mentioned types of deformation.

' The prior type of connecters have other undesirable features. Not only does distortion resulting in permanent set occur, but also a displacement action occurs when the first terminal is inserted. The displacement action occurs at the opposite or open end of the connecter as is evident by the gap in the connecter decreasing at this end. Thus, the diameter of the open end issmaller than it originally was. second terminal is more difficult, but more important, this smaller diameter means the second terminal stresses the metal more than did the first terminal. Hence, the permanent set is greater at this end. In use, most wiring assemblies have the connecter on only one of the terminals, the second terminal being inserted when the connecting assemblies are hooked up during manufacture of vehicles or the like. In such an arrangement, loose connections may not occur until the installation is made, and will not be discovered until after the vehicle or the like is placed in operation.

Another serious drawback which sometimes occurs in use of the prior type of wire connecters results when a terminal which has lain in stock for a long time accumulating oxides and tarnishes on the head thereof is inserted into a wire connecter. Unless the head of the terminal is cleaned prior to use a poor electrical joint will be had. Generally, this precautionary step is not Consequently, insertion of the As a result of the 2 taken, and the prior type of wire connecters do not have suitable means therein for wiping the terminal head as it is inserted into the connecter to provide a good electrical joint.

Also, in earlier types of wire connecters, means are not provided for suitably assembling wire connecters in gangs to provide any desired number or combination of single and double connecters which will provide a simple and compact structure and which will be economical to produce.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wire connecter which will not be permanently distorted by the insertion of a terminal tip therein, and which will not have its one end displaced when a terminal is inserted into the other end thereof, and further which will permit the terminal to be inserted with ease, and will hold the same firmly therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wire connecter which will be effective to wipe the contacting surface of the terminal when the latter is inserted into the former thereby to provide a contacting surface free of oxides and tarnishes so that a good electric joint will be provided.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wire connecting unit of suitable design to permit a plurality of connecters to be made in one piece which is a compact unit and wherein insertion of a terminal in one connecter will not affect operation of other connecters, and further to provide a junction block suitable for containing the plurality of connecters which will permit the wire connecters to be easily located and retained therein and which can be produced economically.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

I Fig. l of the drawings is a perspective view of one form of the present invention showing a junction block containing a plurality of wire connecters.

' Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the plurality of wire connecters in the lower section of the junction block.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the upper section of the junction block.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a wire connecter in a junction block showing terminals inserted into said wire connecter.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of the wire connecter of Fig. I inserted into a flexible junction tube.

Before explaining the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and an rangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, one form of the present invention can be seen in Figs. l5 comprising a junction block 12 having an upper section 14 and a lower section 16 suitably held together by a plurality of tubular rivets 18, and within which is held a pair of double wire connecters 20.

The wire connecters 20 can be formed from a variety of materials such as spring steel, sheet steel, brass, Phosphor bronze orberyllium copper. The last named material has been found to be exceptionally suitable when properly heat treated so that the desired degree of springiness will be obtained for this type of terminal.

In the form of the invention shown in. Figs. l--5, each of the double wire connecters20 comprises a. cylindrical sleeve 22 joined to a second cylindrical sleeve 24 by webbing 26 at the end thereof. Each sleeve has its edges 28 spaced apart to form a longitudinal opening 30 therein. inwardly crimped portions 32 are providedin said connecters 20 near each end thereof and are disposed diametrically opposite said longitudinal openings 30. Each of said sleeves 22 and 24 have two V-shaped cut-outs 34 near the opposite ends of the longitudinal openings30 and disposed opposite each of the detents' 32.

Intermediate the V-shaped cut-outs 34 is a transverse slot 36 extending substantially half. way around the per.- imeter of the sleeve and symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal opening 30. Formed between eachof the V-shaped cut-outs 34 and the transverse slot 36 are a plurality of tangs 38 for holding in place in cooperation with the detent means 32, the head or tip 42 of the terminal 40.

Referring to Fig. of the drawings, a pair of terminals 40 are shown inserted into each end of the wire connecters 2t and which have terminal heads. or tips 42 and annular grooves 44 rearward of said heads or tips 42. When one of the terminals 40 is inserted into the connecter 20, the tip 42 will rise over the detent 32 easily, since it is not displacing metal of the connecter but instead rises up into the V-slot 34. As the head 42 progresses further, the detent 32 seats into the annular groove 44, while the head drops and is fed under the tangs 38. The tangs 38 hold the tip 42 in proper position to engage the detent 32 which offers considerable resistance to pull out of the terminal 40. The transverse slot 36 prevents the first terminal inserted from deforming the tangs 38 of the open side of the connecter. By this construction the tangs move independently and produce no undesirable internal reaction.

The construction above defined not only prevents distortion and displacement of the open end of the connecter, but also provides a form of self wiping contact for removing oxides or tarnish from the tip of the terminal when it is being inserted itno the connecter 20. When the tip 42 rises into the V-shapedcut-outs 34 it comes into engagement with the angular: edges 45 of. the cut-out 34, and asit progresses further inwardly these angular edges 45 will provide a shearing action against. the surfaces of the tips 42 with which they are in contact, and thereby will provide clean surfaces forming the electrical. joint.

During the operation of cutting the transverse slot 36 in the manufacturing of the wire connecter 20, portions of the metal cut-out to form. the slot 36 are bent back forming cars 46.. These cars 46 are retained on the i wire connecter 20 to provide a means. for locating the wire connecter 20 Within the junction block 12 and. for retaining the sleeve 20 withinv the junction. block: 12 when the sections 14 and 16 of the latter are suitably riveted: together.

As can be seen in Figs. 3', 4 and 5, each. of the sections 14 and 16 of the junction block 12 has a plurality of slots 48 therein for receiving the ears 46. The upper and lower sections 14 and 16 are constructed identically so that they may be used interchangeably. Each of'the sec- 4 tions 14 and 16 have their adjacent surfaces shaped to provide a cylindrical chamber 50 therebetwecn when they are in engagement. The cylindrical chambers 50 are arranged in pairs having a thin passage therebetween through which the webbing 26 may extend when it is desired to use a double wire connecter.

Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawing, another form of the present invention can be seen. Here a flexible junction tube is provided of suitable insulating material such as rubber for example. Within the tube 60 can be seen a single wire connecter 62. This form of the wire connecter is very similar to that shown in Figs. l5 and like reference numbers indicate like parts. Structurally, this wire connecter distinguishes from that of Figs. 1-5 in failing to have the cars 46 thereon, thereby permitting it to be used with a single flexible junction tube 60. This type of junction socket is found to be highly advantageous in use when it is desired to connect wires individually to avoid using excessive wire as is sometimes found to be the result when gang sockets are employed.

From the above description it can be seen that electrical wire connecting equipment has been provided which can be economically produced as single or multiple units, and which will insure clean electrical contact joints, and further which will permit the insertion of one terminal tip into one'end of a wire connecter without distortion or displacement of the open end of the wire connecter.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A terminal tip connecter of general cylindrical shape, the edges of which are spaced apart to form a longitudinal opening therein, inwardly crimped portions in said connecter near each end thereof and opposite said spaced apart edges adapted to resiliently engage a terminal tip, said edges having portions cut out diametrically opposite said inwardly crimped portions and slots therein midway of the ends thereof whereby tangs will be formed between said cut-out portions and slots for cooperating with said crimped portion in holding the terminal tip in place.

2. The terminal tip connecter, as claimed in claim 1., wherein the cut-out portions have angular edges to provide shearing action against the terminal tip when being inserted to remove oxide and tarnish therefrom.

3. A terminal tip connecter of general cylindrical shape having an inwardly crimped portion near one end thereof, a substantially triangular shaped aperture in said connecter diametrically opposite said crimped. portion, the apex of said triangle. extending toward. the other end. of said connecter, whereby when a terminal tip is being inserted into said connecter the crimped portion will direct the terminal tip against. the edges of saidtriangular aperture to provide shearing action against said tip to remove oxides and. tarnish therefrom.

References Cited inthe file ofthis' patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,975,885 Wellman Oct. 9, 1934 2,158,004 Douglas May 9', 1939 2,299,787 Beal Oct. 27, 1942 2,318,651 Penfold May 11, 1943 2,430,159 Chenier Nov. 4, 1947 2,431,583 Penfold Nov. 25, 1947 2,441,393 Buchanan et a1 May 11, 19.48 

